Alternate Names: Chingpaw, Chingp’o, Jinghpaw, Kachin
Dialects: Dulong (Dalaung, Duleng), Dzili (Jili), Hkaku (Hka-Hku), Kauri (Gauri, Guari, Hkauri). Dzili may be a separate language. Hkaku and Kauri are only slightly different. Lexical similarity: 50% with Singhpo , of India.
Status Notes: Lingua franca for Zaiwa, Lashi and Lhao Vo.
Genealogy:
Demographics: 900,000 in Myanmar (Johnstone and Mandryk 2001). Population total all countries: 940,000.
Language Use: Most domains. All ages. Positive attitudes. Also use Burmese [mya]. Used as L2 by Khamti [kht], Lashi [lsi], Lhao Vo [mhx], Lisu [lis], Rawang [raw], Rumai Palaung [rbb], Zaiwa [atb].
Language Development: Literacy rate in L1: 60%–100%. Literacy rate in L2: 50%–75%. Some community literacy classes. Newspapers. Radio programs. Films. Dictionary. Bible: 1927–2009.
Typology: SOV; adjectives and numbers follow nouns; singular, dual, plural pronouns; tense-lax vowel distinction; 4 tones.
Writing System: Latin
Nation of Origin: Myanmar
Other Comments: Kachin refers to a cultural, not linguistic, group. Glossonym: Aphu or Phu by Rawang , people. Christian.